View of the Gebhard Mansion (1883) at 2253 Downing Street in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. Shows the east and west elevations of the asymmetrical, two-story, residence in a combination of the Italianate and Second Empire Style. The brick building has stone trim, a bracketed cornice, and a truncated hip roof with a small gable faced with decorative woodwork. There is large corner bay on the northeast corner also topped by a small gable faced with decorative woodwork. The house was built by Henry Gebhard, a German immigrant, who first came to Denver to establish the Colorado Packing and Provision Company. 1n 1938 it was purchased by an African American, Arthur Smith, and his wife Grace.

Restrictions applying to use or reproduction of this image available from the Western History/Genealogy Dept., Denver Public Library.

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Related Material

Image File: ZZR700151237

Notes

"In 1938, Gebhard's heirs sold the house to Arthur and Grace Smith. Arthur was an African American born in Nicodemus, Kansas (an all black town settled by former slaves). Grace was Caucasian. They rented rooms to patients and family members from the nearby Rocky Mountain Osteopathic Hospital. Arthur Smith is credited with maintaining and preserving the mansion. Despite a lack of formal training in carpentry or historic preservation, he preserved the historic integrity of the building. For example, when part of the front porch rotted Smith replaced it with brick while preserving the style." source: Brantigan, Charles. National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Gebhard Mansion. March 1, 1992. On file at the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation at the Colorado Historical Society, Denver.; Scanned image from loaned collection.; Title and content derived from inventory prepared by Jacquelyn Ainlay-Conley.; Digitization sponsored by the Kenneth King Foundation.; R7001512377